A Look Back on 2025 Sewing...

 Well, I thought my 2024 sewing was not much but I think 2025 was even less.  I guess that is what happens when you have a "lemony" kind of year.  I had fun times traveling.  I had sad times losing several family members.  I had big decisions to make regarding my health which I am still working on.  

Most sewn pattern:

Believe it or not there was not a most sewn but there were four ties.

1.  Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  You can not go wrong with the pattern, if you are looking for a classic button down shirt.

2.  Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt.  This is another great basic.  

3.  Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse.  This is a nice little blouse.

4. Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse.  This is a cute blouse with lots of options.

Most loved patterns:

1.  Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.   It is just a classic that you can make over and over.

2.  Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt pattern.  This one is a repeat from last year.  It is such a nice little skirt pattern.

Most dislike project:

I am happy to report that there were not any dislike project.  Well, maybe one.  It was a quilt top that I had been given.  I ended up spending about $40 on the project only to throw it out.  It was a nasty stretchy mess and I gave up on it.

Most used project: 

This definitely has to be the surgery pillow that I made.  It has been in constant use since the day of my surgery.  It really did save me as far as my cats went.  It kept them away from the area. It was used many times when I went out in the car.  

2025 Sewing Reflection:

My sewing time was very limited in 2025.  Betweens traveling, deaths, and health decisions sewing time just did not happen much.  Sewing did save me in the month before my surgery as it keep my mind and hands busy.  The month after my surgery did not have much sewing in it but I did put together patterns and made one muslin.  We have to happy for what we can do, right?  I am trying to just go with the flow.  

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  If you purchased through one of my links, I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Pussy Bow Blouses...

 Since the muslin of the Pussy Bow Blouse, I have made two versions of the blouse:

This is Version 1 with the keyhole opening with the higher neckline.  The changes that I did was to add 1/2" high round back alteration and backing off a little bit on the armscye depth alteration that I had done.  The blouse is not perfect but I will enjoy wearing it.

This is Version 2 with the v-neckline.  This version I narrowed the shoulders by 1/2-inch and moved the shoulder point forward.  Overall, I think that the fit is a little better.   It is still not perfect (does that exist?) but I will enjoy wearing it.

I think that I am done with the pattern for while.  Really how many bow blouses can you have?  I think two is plenty.  

Happy Stitching!

Pussy Bow Blouse Muslin....

 So, I am finally getting around to working on The Pussy Bow Blouse by Sew Over It.  Here is the line drawing:

After looking over the instructions, I picked the size 18 in the larger size range.  I am hoping that it will fit right out of the package as the larger size range is for a "D" cup and that is more me than the "B" cup in the regular range. After printing the pattern, I got a little excited as the 4"x4" square was not 4".  However, it did match the cm.  So, be aware of this.  Here is the muslin fabric that I chose:

This is a Walmart find and actually feel like a nicer fabric than I thought it was going to be.  When washed this fabric turned out to be one that puckers in certain areas.  I am hoping this does not affect the muslin too much.  I ended up ditching this fabric.  Although it was a very interesting fabric, it was not suitable for actually sewing.  When I cut it out, the front had moved around so much that parts of it was much smaller than the pattern.  

Since I don't have muslin fabric immediately available, I decided to spend some up close time with the pattern measuring all the lengths.  I am really glad that I did as the pattern would have been huge on me.  Here is my altered pattern:

I am still trying to figure out the changes for the sleeve cap without completely flattening the sleeve cap.  I ended up measuring the original armscye and the original sleeve.  Then, I measured the altered armscye and made changes so that the original sleeve ease was there.  Here is a look at the altered sleeve:

Thankfully, Wal-Mart precuts yielded a fabric that might be approrpriate for a muslin.  Here is the new fabric:

 It is thin and drapey and kinda interesting but not something I would ever wear (chiffon like).  The majority of the pre-cuts were knits and not really appropriate for this project.

Here is the muslin:

This is not too bad for a quick muslin.  I see one thing that I have not seen before.  It is a diagonal line from shoulder at the neckline to the bottom of the armscye.  I will need to do a little bit of research.  The darts are in a good spot.  

The back view is not too bad either.  I may add a little bit of additional room in the hip area.

I am not sure that this side view says anything about the garment. 

Overall, I am surprised at how well the adjustments that I made worked.  I was a little concerned about the armscye depth but it mostly looks good unless that funky diagonal line on the left shoulder is result of needing more depth.  Once I figure out that one item, I will be off to make both versions of this blouse.

Happy Stitching!

Planning Fall/Winter Wardrobe...

 I never really made much for spring and summer this year.  The sewjo was just missing.  However, I did a bunch of mending and that seemed to get things going.  Then, I decided to make a sleeveless blouse to push out the end of summer with the Itch to Stitch Dana Point Top (affiliate link).  This is a cute top which is a step above my normal Phoebe Tank Top which I love to pieces.  You can see my versions by doing a search on the blog.

So far, I have made the following decisions for garments:

1.  A skirt using New Look 6809 (OOP) View A in denim colored stretch suiting:

 

My inspiration is this post except I am not using real denim just a denim colored fabric.  I know the silhouette is different but that is okay.

2.  A checked skirt using either Butterick 5668 (OOP) View B or Butterick  6717 (OOP) View C.  

My inspiration is this post.  I think both of the patterns are pretty similar to the inspiration photo.  

3.  A navy/white striped button down using the Classic Shirt pattern by Liesl & Co.

My inspiration is this post.  I finally took the fabric out of the package and realized it is a little sheer.  I do not know if it will stand up to all the stitching required for a button down.  The weight was stated to be 130 gsm which should have been almost 4 oz per yard.  I washed the fabric and dried it in the dryer with hopes that it shrunk and tightened up the weave a little bit.

4.  A plaid button down using the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co:

This is stash fabric.  I had intended to make the shirt in 2023 but it slipped. I have grey pants to go with this fabric.

Things that need more thought:

I need to think about some blouses to go with the skirts.  Most of the shirts/blouses have been similar to the Classic Shirt pattern above with a hidden placket.  I doubt that is the only style of blouse that I would want though.

The Pussy Bow Blouse pattern by Sew Over It would be addition.  Here is the line drawings:

I think one of these tops would be nice to go with one of the skirts or pants.  I will continue looking for blouses. Maybe it will be something more casual than this bow blouse.

 I would like to make a jacket and right now I am thinking about using this pattern:

This is McCall's 4598 View A. It is an OOP but it matches closely to this inspiration post.  I have not decided on fabric type yet.  I really need to sit down and go through the fabric stash.  I have a lot of fabric and really need to try to use as much as possible.

Happy Stitching!

 

Inspiration...Tie-Neck Blouse

 I love that the tie-neck blouses are returning to fashion.  Here is one with pleated sleeves:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Pleated Elbow-Sleeve Tie-Neck Blouse.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  Approximately 20 1/2-inches long from shoulder to hem, V neckline, elbow blouson sleeves, banded cuffs and hem, relaxed fit, pullover style, unlined, silk.

I love the look of this blouse but I do not love the price tag.  When I saw this, my first thought was this blouse:

This is the Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse Sewing pdf pattern.  I think the neckline really reflects the inspiration photo and it is the part that I am most interested in duplicating.  Here is a youtube video on adding width to the top of the sleeve - video.  This is a style element along with the sleeve length.  You get to decide.  

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tunic

 Sometimes you find a top that is perfect but only for a short time.  This top is one of those.  Maybe you could get a color that would span fall and spring.  

This is the J Jill Easy Button Front Tunic.  Price tag: $99.00.  Details: 100% linen, split neck, relaxed fit, gathers at center back/front yoke/sleeve cuffs, 3/4 sleeves.  A medium top measure 29 1/2-inches at center back.

Such a cute top and perfect for early spring.  Here is a pattern that is almost perfect :

This is the Sew Over It Zadie Blouse pdf pattern.  There is a couple of changes that might be needed - shorten the sleeves to 3/4 length and straight the hem. There could be some lenghtening/shortening as well.  This pattern does call for light weight fabric.  You can get light weight linen,  Check at fabrics-store.com .  They have many colors of light weight linen.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!